Kuwait forecasts 2011 GDP growth following 2010 stagnation
December 1, 2010-Last week, the governor of Kuwait's Central Bank said he expects GDP growth to continue in 2011, it having stalled in 2010. "For 2011 we expect between 3% and 4% and for this year I can say almost zero [growth]", Sheikh Salem Abdul Aziz Al-Sabah said in an interview.
Some are even more optimistic on Kuwait's immediate prospects for growth. The International Monetary Fund expects Kuwait's economy to grow 2.3% this year and 4.4% in 2011, according to figures on its website.
"Kuwait's story will be pretty similar to what goes on in the other GCC markets," says Syed Saqlain, research analyst, Mena Equities, at Kuwait Financial Centre.
Source: AME Info
Dubai market gains ahead of UAE National Holidays
December 1, 2010--The DFM General Index finished the week positively, ending 1.15% higher at 1,687.92 points as 92.25m shares changed hands. Market bellwether Emaar Properties added 1.38% to close at Dhs3.67. Shares of contracting specialist Drake and Scull International (DSI) advanced 0.74% to finish at Dhs0.958. DSI announced today that its subsidiary Drake & Scull Water and Power (DSWP) has been awarded a Dhs290m EPCO (Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Operation) contract for a District Cooling Plant in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The contract includes the design and build of the district cooling plant, which has a capacity of 35,000 tonnes. The project will take 18 months to complete, the statement to the DFM says. The DFM will be closed until Sunday on the occasion of the 39th UAE National Day on December 2nd. Trading will resume on Monday, December 6.
Source: AME Info
Real estate blue chips lift Abu Dhabi bourse
December 1, 2010--In Abu Dhabi, the ADX index gained 0.58% to finish at 2,745.58. Real estate heavyweights Aldar Properties (up 1.81% at Dhs2.25) and Sorouh Real Estate (gaining 1.21% at Dhs1.68) were the most active shares by volume.
Islamic insurer Abu Dhabi National Takaful posted the largest loss, closing ten percent lower at Dhs3.51.
Source: AME Info
Kuwait market weakens 0.59% on banking losses
December 1, 2010--The KSE Market Index declined on Wednesday for the second consecutive day, ending 0.59% lower at 6,850.5. Losses in the banking segment were once again weighing on the market sentiment.
The country's largest lender National Bank of Kuwait lost 1.56%, finishing at KD1.260. Telecom provider Zain, the most liquid share listed at the KSE, closed off 1.41% at KD1.400.
Source: AME Info
Qatari bourse extends sideways trend
December 1, 2010--Due to a lack of impulses, the Doha-based Qatar market QE ended down 0.15% at 8,129.67. The market has been struggling this week as investors began to book profits after a strng summer rally.
The QE Index gained 16.82% on a year-to-date basis, the highest advance among GCC stock indices. Insurers lost in particluar on Wednesday, as Qatar Insurance closed 1.37% lower at QR79.40.
Source: AME Info
Saudi petrochemicals push Tadawul market higher
December 1, 2010--The Riyadh-located Tadawul bourse gained 0.42% Wednesday to close at 6,344.88, ending the last trading week of November with a plus of 0.85%. Petrochemical firms Sabic (up 1.24% at SR101.75), Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Company (0.28% higher at SR18.15) and Yansab National Petrochemical Company (gaining 2.21% at SR46.20) lifted
the market in particular. Banks and financials ended mostly lower. Samba Financial Group shares (down 2.16% at SR56.50) might test the next support level at SR55.
Source: AME Info
ADX announces the launch of 7 surveys to measure the level of satisfaction and investment literacy
December 1, 2010--Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) today announced the launch of 7 surveys. Five of them are to measure the satisfaction level of stakeholders which include investors, listed companies, brokerage firms, custodians and registrars.
The other two surveys are to measure the level of investors and universities students' investment literacy as a part of the Abu Dhabi government's vision and drive for excellence.
Rashed Al Baloushi, ADX Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Operation said, "ADX genuine concern for concluding these surveys rises from the directives of the leadership and the objectives of Abu Dhabi's Economic Vision 2030, in addition to the priorities set by the exchange's strategic plans, to enhance the performance and to support ADX's standings regionally and internationally."
Source: AME Info
Abu Dhabi bourse ends flat in lacklustre trading
November 30, 2010--The ADX General Index closed at 2,729.87 points (off 0.05%) as three sector indices and seven shares ended flat.
Gains at Aldar Properties (up 1.38% at Dhs2.19) and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (1.35% higher atDhs2.25) failed to lift the market sentiment in the UAE capital.
Source: AME Info
Banks drag Qatar Exchange down slightly
November 30, 2010--The QE index in Doha declined 0.20% on Tuesday, closing at 12,605.44 points. Al Khaliji Commercial Bank shares dipped 0.66 to finish at QR15.10 as most financial stocks weakened.
The QE Index posted during the first 11 months 2010 a gain of 17% straight. Willem Buiter, Chief Economist at Citi says in today's published Global Economic Outlook and Strategy that he expects Qatar to grow 15% n 2011 and 10% in 2012. These would be the highest growth rates in the Middlea East and Africa.
Source: AME Info
Kuwaiti stocks lose across the board
November 30, 2010--The Kuwait bourse KSE weakened 0.35% on Tuesday, ending at 6,891 straight. All industry segments declined, with the the exception of the real estate sector (up 0.07%). Heavy Engineering and Ship Building Co. posted the largest decline, closing at KD0.340 (down 6.84%). ined 0.20% on Tuesday, closing at 12,605.44 points.
Al Khaliji Commercial Bank shares dipped 0.66 to finish at QR15.10 as most financial stocks weakened. The QE Index posted during the first 11 months 2010 a gain of 17% straight. Willem Buiter, Chief Economist at Citi, writes in today's published Global Economic Outlook and Strategy that his bank expects Kuwait to grow 3.1% in 2010, 4.5% in 2011 and 6.2% in 2012.
Source: AME Info